General Knowledge Capsule for UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandants (2022)

The General Knowledge (GK) section of the UPSC CAPF AC exam tests a candidates awareness of current affairs, history, geography, polity, economics and basic science. The 2022 capsule is a concise, highyield revision tool that covers the most frequently asked topics and the latest developments up to March2022.

1. Current Affairs (January March2022)

International Highlights

• UN Climate Conference (COP27) Held in SharmElSheikh, Egypt. Key outcomes: loss & damage fund, phaseddown coal, and enhanced NDCs.
• RussiaUkraine War Escalation in February2022; major implications for energy security, global grain supplies and defence spending.
• IndiaEU Strategic Partnership Signed a comprehensive agreement covering trade, technology and climate cooperation.
• Quad Summit Virtual meeting in February 2022; focus on supplychain resilience, maritime security and vaccine cooperation.

National Highlights

• Monetary Policy RBI kept repo rate at 6.5% (Feb2022) while signalling inflation concerns.
• Budget 202223 (Union Budget) Emphasis on infrastructure, defence, and a new National Education Policy 2022.
• National Agricultural Market (eNAM) Expansion Reached 1000+ mandis, integrating 6digit APMC codes.
• Space Missions ISROs Shukrayaan1 mission approved; Gaganyaan crewed flight scheduled for 2024.
• Legislative Updates The Industrial Relations Code (2020) came into force in July2021; its impact on labour welfare examined in 2022.

2. History

Ancient & Medieval

Key dynasties Mauryas, Guptas, Harsha, Cholas, Vijayanagara, Mughal administration (ZamindariJagirdari). Important concepts such as Dacian tax, Jagirdari system, and Mansabdari should be revisited.

Modern Indian History (18571947)

• 1857 Revolt Immediate causes, major leaders (Mangal Pandey, Rani Laxmi Bai), and its impact on the Indian nationalist movement.
• Growth of Indian National Congress From moderates (Gopal Krishna Gokhale) to extremists (Bal Gangadhar Tilak).
• NonCooperation (192022) and Civil Disobedience (193034) movements Key events, slogans and results.
• World WarII impact Quit India Movement (1942) and the Cripps Mission (1942).
• Partition & Independence Mountbatten Plan, accession of princely states, and the creation of Bangladesh (1971, relevant for comparative questions).

PostIndependence (19472022)

• Constitutional developments 42nd Amendment (1976), 73rd/74th Amendments (1992), GST implementation (2017).
• Major wars 1962 SinoIndian, 1965 & 1971 IndoPak wars, Kargil (1999).
• Economic reforms 1991 liberalisation, 2000s IT boom, 2016 demonetisation, 2017 GST, 202021 COVID19 stimulus.

3. Geography

Physical Geography

• Indias physiographic divisions Himalayas, Peninsular plateau, IndoGangetic plain, Coastal plains.
• Major river basins Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus, Godavari, Mahanadi; interstate water disputes (e.g., Cauvery, Krishna).
• Climatic zones Tropical wet, dry, humid, and alpine; monsoon dynamics and recent trends (ElNio 202021).

Human Geography & Resources

• Population 2021 Census provisional figures (1.39billion); urbanisation rate (34%).
• Economic geography Major industrial corridors (DelhiMumbai, ChennaiBengaluru), Smart Cities mission (100 cities).
• Environmental concerns Air quality Index (AQI) trends, National Clean Air Programme (202025), Plastic ban (2022).

4. Polity & Governance

Constitutional Framework

• Fundamental Rights Recent Supreme Court judgments (e.g., privacy as a fundamental right, 2017).
• Directive Principles Role in socioeconomic policies.
• Amendment procedure Example of the 104th Constitution Amendment (2020) for National Population Register.

Institutions

• Parliament Structure, powers, recent Lok Sabha sessions (2022 budget debates).
• Executive President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers; the Collective Responsibility principle.
• Judiciary Supreme Courts Judicial Activism (e.g., Sabarimala verdict, 2018).
• State & Union Territories Recent reorganisation (Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, 2019) and its implications for internal security.

Governance & Policy Initiatives

• National Education Policy 2020 Fundamental changes (Holistic education, 5year review).
• Digital India Core components, recent rollout of AadhaarAuth API for egovernance.
• Swachh Bharat Mission Achievements (opendefecationfree status, 2019) and challenges postpandemic.
• Health Ayushman BharatPMJAY (2crore families) and the Covid19 vaccination drive (first dose >1billion by March2022).

5. Economy

Macroeconomic Indicators (202122)

• GDP growth 7.0% (FY202122) after a contraction of -7.3% in FY202021.
• Inflation CPI rose to 6.3% in March2022 (above RBIs 4% target).
• Fiscal deficit 9.5% of GDP (202122), improving to 6.9% projected for 202223.
• Public debt Approximately 90% of GDP (2022 estimates).

Key Sectors

• Agriculture Minimum Support Price (MSP) reforms, emphasis on organic farming.
• Industry Make in India 2.0, productionlinked incentive (PLI) schemes for electronics, pharma, and defence.
• Services ITBPM growth (8% CAGR), rise of fintech and digital payments (>10lakh crore in 202122).

International Trade

• Major exports Petroleum products, gems & jewellery, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods.
• Major imports Crude oil, gold, electronic components.
• Trade agreements RCEP negotiations (India opted out, 2022), EUIndia trade talks.

6. Science & Technology

• Space Successful launch of the PSLVC51 mission with 37 satellites; Gaganyaan crewed flight target 2024.
• Defence Indigenous development of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) and the Kamass UAV.
• Health Indias role in the COVAX initiative; indigenous Covaxin and Covishield production scaleup.
• Energy Renewable capacity crossed 150GW (2022); solarhydrogen pilot projects in Gujarat.
• IT & Cybersecurity Launch of the National Cyber Security Policy (2021) and the Cyber Suraksha awareness programme.

7. Environment & Ecology

• National Biodiversity Action Plan (202025) Focus on 10% area under protected status.
• Climate change Indias Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) 3335% reduction in emissions intensity by 2030.
• Wildlife Tiger population rise to 3,167 (2022) as per NTFP report.
• Disaster management 202122 floods in Kerala and Uttarakhand; role of NDRF and State Disaster Response Funds.

8. Important Dates & Quick Revision Tips

1. Make a fortnightly Current Affairs Diary include oneline headlines, dates and significance.
2. Use mnemonics for constitutional articles (e.g., PRALELLEL for the heads of state).
3. Prioritise topics that have appeared in the last three years of the CAPF exams.
4. Practice MCQs daily; revise wrong attempts within 24hours.
5. Allocate 30minutes to read the Economic Survey and Union Budget highlights each week.

By covering the above points systematically, aspirants can build a robust GK foundation for the UPSC CAPF AC 2022 examination. Consistent revision, coupled with answerwriting practice, remains the cornerstone of success.